Exports of fruit and vegetables in Vietnam amounted to 592 million U.S. dollars in the first two months of 2023, jumping 17.8 percent from the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Fruit & Vegetable Association (Vinafruit).

The export growth offers a silver lining amid weaker global demand weighing on the country's agriculture, forestry, and fishery sector, it said.

The export of fruit and vegetables would be likely to rise by about 20 percent to 4 billion dollars this year, said the association, adding this would provide a much-needed boost to Vietnam's agro-forestry-aquatic exports, which dropped 22 percent in January and February after posting a record-high of 53.2 billion dollars last year.

Among top foreign currency earners, including durian, dragon fruit, and banana, durian exports are forecast to reach 1 billion dollars this year, said Vinafruit.

Vietnam is also striving to boost exports of processed fruit and vegetables to reduce post-harvest losses and increase export value.